Washington Leads State-Level Fight To Protect Net Neutrality

A day before the FCC voted to undo net neutrality rules, Gov. Jay Inslee and state leaders announced a plan to "preserve an open internet and protect Washington consumers." Now, Bob Ferguson is announcing plans to file suit challenging the decision.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and other state legislators and business leaders announced that Washington would seek to “preserve an open internet” on the state level if the Federal Communications Commission votes to undo the nation’s net neutrality rules.

This would make Washington state the first in the nation to pursue a state-level solution to address this issue.

The FCC voted today to repeal net neutrality rules. The vote was 3-2.

BREAKING: The FCC votes on party lines to undo sweeping Obama-era `net neutrality' rules that guaranteed equal access to internet.

Following the vote, Ferguson announced that a lawsuit is coming to challenge the decision. His statement said:

"Yesterday I sent a letter to the FCC asking them to delay their vote gutting net neutrality. Unfortunately, they did not. Today, I am announcing my intention to file a legal challenge to the FCC’s decision to roll back net neutrality, along with attorneys general across the country. We are 5-0 against the Trump Administration because they often fail to follow the law when taking executive action. There is a strong legal argument that with this action, the federal government violated the Administrative Procedure Act — again. We will be filing a petition for review in the coming days. Allowing internet service providers to discriminate based on content undermines a free and open internet. Today’s action will seriously harm consumers, innovation and small businesses. I was proud to stand with Gov. Inslee yesterday when he announced that Washington state will step up to protect consumers in light of this disappointing federal action. I commend him for his leadership and look forward to continuing to work with him to that end.”

In a post on Medium, Inslee’s office said, “While the FCC’s vote will preempt states from ensuring full net neutrality, there are a number of steps that can be taken at the state level to promote an open internet and strengthen protections for consumers.”

Inslee’s proposal would include “pursuing the following actions,” it said.

Hold companies to their commitments not to block websites, throttle speeds, or impose prioritization pricing

Direct the state’s Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to establish a process for ISPs to certify that they will not engage in practices inconsistent with net neutrality principles.

Limit state-conferred benefits to ISPs that have made such certifications.

Limit applicability of UTC pole attachment rules to ISPs that are net neutral.

Review other state-conferred benefits such as easements and taxes.

Leverage the state’s power as a large purchaser of ISP and telecommunications services

Use the state government’s role as a big customer, and our ability to establish state master contracts used by local governments, to incentivize Washington companies to adhere to net neutrality principles.

Pursue regulatory and legislative action to award contracts to vendors that meet net neutral business requirements.

Lead the exploration of a multi-state purchasing cooperative to procure internet service from providers that adhere to net neutrality principles.

Hold companies accountable for warranties made to consumers

Create a state-wide internet speed test. This will allow Washingtonians to test their own broadband speed at home, and submit the test to help appropriate state agencies determine what internet speeds consumers are receiving and where companies may be blocking or throttling.

Collaborate with legislators to strengthen our consumer protection laws to include the principles of net neutrality.

Encourage new entrants into the currently concentrated ISP market

Prohibit government-owned ISP services, such as municipal broadband networks, from engaging in blocking, throttling, or priority pricing for Internet services.

Inslee wrote a letter expressing concern with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to repeal net neutrality last week, saying “Net neutrality principles ensure large corporations are never in the position of deterring innovation, obstructing entrepreneurship or disenfranchising citizens. They are essential to preserving the very foundation of the internet as we know it, while enabling digital innovation in Washington State and across the country to grow unbridled by corporate interference. Unfortunately, the Commission’s draft order undermines these core principles and for the first time allows broadband providers — rather than the marketplace — to pick the winners and losers in the 21st century economy.”

UPDATE: Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan also issued a statement condemning the FCC repeal of net neutrality regulations. Her office said that on the city level, "Seattle must be ready to protect the internet," with Mayor Durkan preparing to "direct all City departments to work with the City Council to draft an ordinance to create legal protections that ensure all Seattle residents receive open and equitable access to the internet consistent with their experience under Obama-era regulations," if efforts at the state level are unable to protect net neutrality.

See the full release below:

Mayor Durkan Condemns FCC Repeal of Net Neutrality RegulationsSeattle to Take Action to Uphold Core Principals of Open Internet

SEATTLE (December 14, 2017)— Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan condemned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote rolling back Net Neutrality regulations. Following this 3-2 vote, carriers will now have the freedom to slow down or block the delivery of information over the internet unless customers pay more. Last week, Mayor Durkan joined 68 Mayors across the country in signing a letter to the FCC in opposition to the Restoring Internet Freedom Draft Order. Earlier this year, the City of Seattle has launched a site highlighting the City’s support for net neutrality.

“The FCC’s irresponsible and reckless decision weakens our democracy. Our City and state are committed to fighting this decision and will be taking action to protect fair and open access to the internet. In the weeks and months to come, I will be working with the City Attorney, Seattle IT, the Council, and others to examine steps our City can take to maximize the principals of net neutrality and protect online freedoms. It is critical our City is working to ensure the freedom of the internet is not controlled by service providers, especially as we bring 5G service online,” said Mayor Durkan.

“By Seattle holding firm to our beliefs, that all residents deserve fair rights to the internet, we’re sending a clear message,” said City Council President Bruce Harrell (District 2, South Seattle). “Fair and equal access to the internet help pull people out of the digital divide and allows them to better their lives.”

“I believe that in today’s world, everyone should have access to the internet and all of the resources it provides. By working to close the ‘digital divide,’ we reduce economic disparities experienced by many of our low-income, disabled, and community members of color. We will continue to work to ensure that all Seattle residents and businesses have access to unrestricted, affordable internet through all the tools at our disposal, including consumer protections, local regulations, or public infrastructure so that the opportunities provided by the internet are shared equitably by all.” said Councilmember Rob Johnson (District 4, NE Seattle).

Mayor Durkan is committed to ensuring internet service providers who operate within the City of Seattle and whose infrastructure occupies the public right-of-way uphold the principles of net neutrality and not block or throttle lawful content, discriminate against lawful traffic, or engage in paid prioritization.

Mayor Durkan is hopeful the state mandates net neutrality, but Seattle must be ready to protect the internet. Thus, she will also direct all City departments to work with the City Council to draft an ordinance to create legal protections that ensure all Seattle residents receive open and equitable access to the internet consistent with their experience under Obama-era regulations.